METHODS: An online English-language survey was distributed to 90 occupational therapists and physiotherapists including MSHT members and non-members. Participation required management of at least one extensor tendon repair in the preceding year. Five approaches were surveyed: immobilisation, early passive motion (EPM) with dynamic splinting, and early active motion (EAM) delivered by resting hand (RH), palmar resting interphalangeal joints free (PR), and relative motion extension (RME) splints.
RESULTS: Thirty-seven of the 53 therapists (68%) who commenced the survey completed it. The most used approach was dynamic/EPM (28%), followed by RH/immobilisation (22%) and RH/EAM (22%). A preference for RME/EAM was identified with implementation barriers being surgeon preference and hand therapist confidence.
DISCUSSION: Approach selection for Malaysian therapists differed from the combined IFSHT and Asia-Pacific respondents, with the former using dynamic/EPM and RH/immobilisation compared to IFSHT respondents who predominately used RME/EAM and PR/EAM. This survey provides valuable insights into Malaysian hand therapists' practices. If implementation barriers and therapist confidence are addressed, Malaysian practice patterns may change to better align with current evidence.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two phases: (1) translation and cultural adaptation of the DHI into Malay and (2) evaluation of its psychometric properties. Content validity was assessed by a panel of nine experts using the Content Validity Index (CVI). Face validity was evaluated through a pilot test with 10 individuals with DPN. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and test-retest reliability (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, ICC) were measured in 30 participants with DPN. Known-group validity was examined by comparing DPN participants with healthy individuals.
RESULTS: The content validity of the Malay-DHI was excellent and face validity confirmed that the Malay-DHI was clear and comprehensible. Internal consistency was strong across all categories (α = 0.84-0.97). Test-retest reliability demonstrated excellent stability (ICC = 0.996-1.000). Known-group validity showed a significant difference between individuals with DPN and healthy individuals (Z = -6.93, p < .001).
CONCLUSION: The Malay version of the DHI demonstrated strong validity and reliability, making it a culturally relevant and robust tool for assessing hand function in individuals with DPN. This tool may facilitate targeted rehabilitation interventions and improve clinical outcomes.